Found a bird in my yard… what should I do?

I’m 11 and found this little bird in our front yard. He was sick and couldn’t fly, so my parents moved him to our backyard to protect him from the neighbor’s cat. He drinks nectar, and I think he’s a red wattlebird.
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You could try putting him in a cardboard box overnight. If he flies away tomorrow, great! If not, maybe reach out to a local wildlife rehab center for help.

Yeah, or take him to a vet or wildlife rescue to make sure he gets the care he might need.

That’s solid advice! A great way to keep him safe.

Looks like a Wattlebird fledgling. They’re still learning to fly at this stage. Just make sure he’s safe from predators, and he’ll probably figure things out soon. :blush:

I brought him to my backyard, and he’s just hanging out. His neck is yellow, not red, so I guess he’s still young.

Yep, the red color comes in when they’re adults. You’ve got it right!

Aww, what a cute little bird! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

You should help him out. Maybe get some birdseed from the store to make sure he has enough to eat.

He’s been eating bread and nectar. I have flowers in the yard, and he drinks from them.

That’s good, but since he’s young and winter is coming, he might need more food to stay strong. It’s great that you’re helping him out.

If he’s not flying, he might need a little care. Maybe try feeding him bird food or seeds. He could make a great pet if he’s tame.

He’s not a pet. He’s just young and learning. His wings are fine, and his parents check on him often.

It’s so heartwarming to see you care about wildlife like this. I hope he starts flying soon!

Poor little guy. Just make sure he’s not stressed. Maybe offer mealworms, fruit, or water. You could also put a warm blanket in a box for him to rest. Avoid handling him too much so he doesn’t get scared.

He’s eating bread and drinking nectar from the flowers in my yard. He’s young, but he seems okay.

He’s healthy, just can’t fly yet—he hops around for now.

Oh, that makes sense. I’m not familiar with these birds, but it does look like he’s just a chick. If his parents are nearby, they’re probably watching over him. Sounds like he’ll be fine after a couple of weeks.

Just give him some love and care. He’ll figure it out eventually.